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Donor origin of Graves disease in a BMT recipient: evidence from FISH studies of thyroid tissue

Bone Marrow Transplantation volume 37, pages 789–791 (2006)Cite this article

We aimed to identify the donor or recipient origin of autoimmune thyroid disease in a boy who underwent bone marrow transplantation (BMT) for severe aplastic anemia from his HLA-matched sister, who had been diagnosed with Graves disease 5 years before transplantation. After 2 years of BMT, the same disease was diagnosed in the recipient. Thyroidectomy was performed after achieving a euthyroid state. The thyroid gland contained interstitial lymphocytic infiltrates. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis showed that at least some of the lymphocytes were of donor origin and these could be seen among the recipient's thyroid cells.

Endocrine dysfunction affecting the thyroid gland, growth and gonad function are the most common long-term adverse effects of BMT.1 Autoimmune Graves disease is a rare event after HSCT and when it does occur, it raises the question as to whether it has been transferred from the donor or whether it is a result of disturbances in immune reconstitution and immune function due to severe immunosuppression. In our study, we aimed to ascertain the donor or recipient origin of autoimmune thyroid disease in a boy who underwent BMT for severe aplastic anemia from his HLA-matched sister, who had been diagnosed with Graves disease 5 years before the transplant.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Paediatric Oncology and Haematology, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland

    K Drabko & J R Kowalczyk

  2. Cytogenetic Laboratory, Children's University Hospital, Lublin, Poland

    D Winnicka & A Gaworczyk

  3. Department of Paediatric Endocrinology, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland

    I Beń-Skowronek

  4. Chair and Department of Clinical Pathomorphology, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland

    D Skomra

Authors
  1. K Drabko
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  2. D Winnicka
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  3. A Gaworczyk
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  5. D Skomra
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  6. J R Kowalczyk
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Drabko, K., Winnicka, D., Gaworczyk, A. et al. Donor origin of Graves disease in a BMT recipient: evidence from FISH studies of thyroid tissue. Bone Marrow Transplant 37, 789–791 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.bmt.1705316

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